Can The Fat Tissue That Is Removed During a Bichectomy Be Transferred Elsewhere?

In the facial anatomy of humans, there are small fat pads in the lower cheek region called  ’’bichats’‘ (Bichat’s fat pads). These fat pads are one of the anatomical structures that give the face its shape. Depending on the general facial anatomy and facial proportions of the person, the reduction or the removal of these fat pads by a bichectomy operation can provide a an improvement in appearance of the individual. During a bichectomy operation, these fat pads can be reduced or removed through very small incisions made inside each cheek in the mouth. With this procedure, it is aimed to create slimming in the lower cheeks, along with a dented, shadowy appearance between the cheek bones and the jaw if the patient’s anatomy is suitable. The slimming effect in the cheeks can be seen in almost everyone, while the occurance of the mentioned, pleasent, dented, shadowy appearance can be said to be related to the patient’s cheekbones and jaw structure. The amount of fat tissue to be removed should be individually calculated for each patient.

Transferring fat tissue from one part of the body by injecting it is another cosmetic surgical procedure that has become more popular in the last years. These fat tissue transfers, which can be also made into the face, can give volume to the desired areas and they can provide better and more defined facial contours. Fat tissue that is removed from inside the cheeks by bichectomy operation is not generally preferred for such procedures. Several reasons can be mentioned for this.

Fat tissue removed by a bichectomy operation is removed through incisions made inside the mouth and exit through inside the mouth. The mouth is one of the most bacteria residing places in the body. Thus, it is possible that the fat tissue that comes into contact with the mouth can be contaminated by microorganisms within the mouth. The presence of these micro-organisms in the mouth can be harmless, but transferring them into another area in the body can cause an infection.

Another reason why it is not preferred to transfer the fat tissue removed by a bichectomy into another place in the body is that the amount of fat tissue that is removed is generally not sufficient to be used as a graft. In procedures in which fat injections will be performed, there is often a need for more fat tissue than this amount.